Rumor: The Los Angeles Lakers Are Aggressively Pursuing A Trade For DeMar DeRozan. Is DeMar DeRozan Enough For The Lakers To Repeat?

After an emotional championship victory against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, The Los Angeles Lakers are not done with their championship endeavours. According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green for DeMar DeRozan. With LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan having a unique relationship of one player dominating the other, this could be an opportunity where DeMar contributes to a championship and returns to his hometown. In 2016, the Lakers offered him a generous contract, but DeRozan chose loyalty over representing his hometown, only to be traded away two years after the signing. This was tragic news for the former All-Star as he loved representing Toronto while playing with his best friend in Kyle Lowry. However, DeMar potentially has an opportunity to return home where he can play alongside two of the best players in the NBA if San Antonio accepts this trade offer. The only reason DeMar was even traded to San Antonio was to ensure that one of the NBA’s best players, Kawhi Leonard, would represent an organization from the other conference. While DeMar is nothing close to Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs could consider a similar option in trading him back to the east in order for the Western Conference to have some balance. This means that the Lakers would most likely have to offer much more than just a mediocre Kyle Kuzma and an inefficient Danny Green. 

Even though Danny Green is a fan favourite in San Antonio, his production in the NBA playoffs was mediocre. The real “value” in making this trade would be to attain a young Kyle Kuzma that still has a decent amount of potential to do something meaningful in the NBA. In his rookie season, Kuzma appeared to be the most valued young asset the Lakers possessed hence why they were reluctant to trade him away for Anthony Davis. However, Kuzma has dramatically declined since his rookie season due to playing alongside two dominant superstars that instantly changed the Lakers’ landscape. Having a reduced role followed by statistics is valid when playing alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but there should be no excuse for inefficient production and mediocrity. While Kuzma does have potential, his trade value is incredibly low. If the front office of San Antonio tuned into the NBA playoffs, they would be the first to understand that this trade offer is just as mediocre as Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma were in the NBA Finals. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a position to repeat, which means that they need better talent than what they already have due to the rise of both conferences. With the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets emerging as title contenders for next season, it makes total sense as to why Rob Pelinka is insisting on trading for players such as DeMar DeRozan. However, the fit of DeMar in LA is unique in terms of the style of his style of play. DeMar is a great player, but his lack of a three-point shot will make the Lakers clustered similar to the Philadelphia 76ers. This entails that yes, the Lakers have an All-Star calibre player but would have to surround the potential three-headed monster with many great shooters. If DeMar can return to his All-Star status in the NBA, the Lakers would more than likely repeat, granting DeRozan his first championship and a great happy ending to an emotional career!